A yacht launch involves a lot of fanfare, so image the activity at Feadship’s shipyards in Holland when each splashed a yacht on the same day—totaling 159 meters (522 feet) of luxury, no less. The last Saturday in March, Royal De Vries launched the 81-meter (266-foot) Air (pictured), while Royal Van Lent launched a 77.7-meter (255-footer) known publicly for now just as hull #802.
Air is certainly impressive for her sheer size. She’s the largest megayacht made at Royal De Vries’ Aalsmeer facility, and she’ll be the largest Feadship available for charter. (She’s in the central fleet of Feadship Charter Division and International Yacht Register, the latter of which also served as project manager.) If you’re a Harley Davidson fan, note that her hull uses the same black paint as the bikes do, with a matte finish. Feadship employed a more environmentally friendly paint method to apply it, too.
Since the owners are repeat customers, they were well acquainted with De Voogt Naval Architects’ engineering abilities. The team was still put to the test, though. Air is the first megayacht built in compliance with Annex 2 of MCA’s LY2 regulations to have a fully certified commercial helipad, located aft. (In brief, the annex spells out safety management procedures.) The engineering requirements dictated more aesthetic attention, from both the De Voogt office and Remi Tessier Designs, to ensuring the yacht’s aft portions flowed properly with the rest of her lines.
Remi Tessier Designs also oversaw the interior design, which emphasizes minimalism. From the full-beam (12-meter, or 39-foot) owner’s suite to the five guest staterooms and VIP stateroom just outside of the owner’s stateroom, there’s good use of dark and light tones. Sycamore, white onyx (additionally backlit), cream and black limestone, stainless steel, and a good deal of carved glass are used. But it’s easy to imagine the owners wanting to spend more time outside, especially given the view of the forward pool from their private observation lounge. That pool is eight meters (26 feet) long. Air is further fitted with balconies that extend out 1.5 meters (about five feet), a sundeck with hot tub and sunpads, and a whopping 102-inch pop-up television for enjoying flicks in the great outdoors. There’s also a bar just off the folding swim platform… a great spot to board or disembark from the tenders.
As for hull #802, you’ll never mistake her on the horizon, thanks to her metallic gray and blue superstructure, mated to a white hull. The De Voogt office collaborated with Eidsgaard Design for styling, making the dynamic duo of colors pop even more. Of course, you’ll have to spot her first: She’s a remarkably fast yacht for her LOA. How fast? Try 21 knots. The swift speed is thanks to four MTU 12V4000 M70 engines.
Hull #802 has more to appreciate, of course, spread throughout her decks. The owners have a private sunbathing area forward of their suite, for example. In fact, they have nearly an entire deck to themselves, from an alfresco dining area where 12 friends and family can join them straight through to the skylounge and their suite, including a study. One area guests will likely gravitate to: the spa on the bridge deck. It includes a massage/beauty salon and a contra-flow pool.
Dustin Bredenkamp
Gorgeous